My 66-year-old diabetic father has 3–4 coronary arteries 80–90% blocked. Doctors recommend CABG instead of stents. Looking for advice and experiences.
Hi everyone,
I’m posting because my family is trying to understand the situation better and would really appreciate any insights from people who’ve gone through something similar.
My father is:
• 66 years old
• Diabetic (Type 2)
• Had severe COVID pneumonia a few years ago but recovered
• Generally on the thinner side and not physically very strong
He recently underwent coronary angiography, and we’ve been told:
• 3–4 coronary arteries are 80–90% blocked
• One of the major blockages is at the mouth (ostium) of an artery
• The cardiologist feels that stents are unlikely to be successful because of the complexity of the blockages.
• They are recommending Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG/open-heart bypass surgery).
We’re obviously scared and have a lot of questions.
1. Has anyone here (or their family member) undergone CABG with similar multi-vessel disease and diabetes?
2. How was the recovery, especially for someone who wasn’t very physically strong before surgery?
3. How long did it take before they could walk normally and regain strength?
4. What should we expect during the first few weeks after surgery?
5. Is there anything you wish you had known before the operation?
We’re also trying to get a second opinion at AIIMS/Safdarjung, but we’d really value hearing real experiences while we wait.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read this. Any advice or words of encouragement would mean a lot to my family.